5 Alarm Houston Fire with Rescue- Know Your Ladders

Video from the 5 alarm Houston apartment fire (under construction).  The ladder truck backed in giving them just enough to reach the victim.

Think about plan B.  How high would your tallest ground ladder reach?  Remember that in this case we only need the make the bottom of the balcony.  Go to an apartment in your first in a throw some ladders and set the aerial to see what you can reach.

My driver a few years ago had us throw ground ladders after a medical call to see if we could reach the third floor balcony in an awkward spot.  About a month later, with him in charge, we had a rescue in the exact situation and we all knew we could reach it.

Over the shoulder 24' throw.avi

Love just getting out and throwing ladders.

Cheetsheet for training on Ladders add to it for me.

Ladders cheetsheet

Techniques

Beam vs. Flat

Points of contact with the ground

Estimating height of throw ¼ height of throw = how many feet away

Continuous loop

Hand vs halyard I can get 7 rungs

Painting tips

Carrying point vs throwing point

Overcoming ladder in front of you

Rolling and dragging ladders That’s why beam raise preferable where do your ground ladders get that your truck won’t.

Set ladders for rescue

Climbing ladders ( smooth, knees inside, hands behind beams, look up)

AMLAP as many ladders as possible look up Boston fire there scene’s are covered in ladders.

Upside Down Balcony Ladder Raise

You never know when training will come in handy.  Good job. 

One man 35 it's only dangerous if you suck at it. HAHA

 

Here are the videos of 1 person 35 foot Ladder throws.  I am putting these out there so you will go train on 24 footers, 16 footers just get out there and throw ladders.

Firefighter gets out the window

At the 3 minute mark he calls a collapse.  I saw sheetrock falling.  I was not there obviously but have seen a problem with guys calling a sheetrock collapse a roof collapse.  These are very different events.  We need to coordinate attack, there needs to be a line up there before we pull a lot of ceiling so we don't just feed it oxygen. Great Ladder placement for rescue tips at the sill.  Learning from each other is awesome these guys were working hard thx brothers.

Bellingham solo ladder throws

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFJ4xfkhFbI&feature=player_embedded

Check these out thanks patch.

FF falls from Ladder

If the video does not play click here http://youtu.be/Xi5ZsUKxZvM

This is an avoidable incident.  What ways do you secure a ladder besides the obvious?  Everything from driving the pic on a halligan...  What are the pros and cons of your ideas?  Dig in the toolbox.

Ladders training Don't try this at home

If video does not play click here  http://youtu.be/lfoIOQgUu_8

 If video does not play click here http://youtu.be/5XWlgbUhziM

Pretty awesome videos of extreme ladder throws.  Get motivated for Ladders!!!!!!  

"This is My Ladder" article by Brian Brush

http://www.fireservicewarrior.com/2012/04/this-is-my-ladder/
Lots of ladders coming this month. I will be shooting videos and posting about 14, 16,  24 and 35 ft ladder throws.

Send me your vids.....

san fran 50

50 foot wood ladder raise,  I would love to go to thier fab shop

Ladder venting a window

I love venting windows with ladders this vid isn't perfect but neither is the task.  I would use the beam to strike the window then turn the ladder in and clear the window.  Set the ladder for rescue after window is clear.  Works great for ves and also for accessing fire in an upper floor from the ground. 

minnesota ladder slide

This is a reason in itself to throw ladders anything over a single story should have ladders thrown to all sides.  This can be accomplished by anyone at the scene.  When I drive I don't babysit the pump throw ladders to the front side once one ladder goes up there will be four thrown. 
RIC teams should be doing this as a way to soften the structure.

Headfirst slide versus flipping over.
What do you think?

35' Ladder Throws

These videos are 35' ladder throws performed by multiple firefighters at Station 8 .  There is a 2 person 35' throw,  a 1 person 35' throw using the wall,  and  a 1 person 35' throw free standing.  There is some technique to completing these throws so watch the videos a couple of times.

•  The 2 person throw is a staple in the FD and can be completed quickly with or without a wall to stabilize.  Watch the foot placement of the firefighters creating stability for the ladders, it is important.  Look at how the ladder is straight up in the air, the butts have four feet so use them.  Let me know what you think.

• The 1 firefighter using the wall is for say a commercial occupancy or apartment with no eaves.  It is important to use the wall for stability.  Again check foot placement.  This is an easy throw if you take your time.  Watch your step when you bring it down.

• The last video is the freestanding 35 foot raise.  We are doing it on slick concrete to show you worst case scenario. If the apartment has grass throw it there.  The rope we are using is attached to the airpacks we carry.  I used this rope because it will be with you all the time. It would not be practical to go all the way back to the unit to get rope.  It is also easy to step on and more than adequate for the job.  This throw was completed by everyone at 8's and the single firefighter using the wall was completed by stations 8, 23, and 30.  Give them a shot let me know, it may save a life some day. 

Please send your videos to me with a message of what your trying to accomplish.  I will post all training.  If you know a quick tip for plumbing, send it...high rise ops, send it.

 2 FF 35' against a wall
If video does not play click here http://youtu.be/a_mLkzQYeKs

1 FF 35' against a wall
If video does not play click here http://youtu.be/os7YBb7c46M



 1 FF 35' freestanding

If video does not play click here http://youtu.be/7uonogIi_zk and http://youtu.be/dv2BcSP7HLs